Mendocino is a one-of-a-kind coastal enclave where fog-soaked headlands, Victorian storefronts, and a quietly luxurious creative scene all overlap. And what that feels like is pure magic. The village feels both timeless and modern, equal parts artist colony, culinary outpost, and quiet cottage hideaway. And although there’s really no bad time to go, winter is an especially dreamy (and wildly underrated) time to visit. It’s the shoulder season, which means softer prices on rooms, emptier trails, and that moody North Coast magic at full volume. Just be sure to double-check hours of businesses, as some shops and restaurants scale back or briefly close during the quiet months. Here’s how to spend your days when you’re there.

David Fenton

Where to Stay

The Harbor House Inn in Elk offers serene cliffside rooms and a two-Michelin-starred dining experience rooted in coastal foraging. It’s one of those romantic stays worthy of the bucket list, a true embodiment of quiet luxury. For a more outdoorsy stay, Mendocino Grove delivers cozy blufftop glamping above Big River complete with fire pits, heated beds, and hammock-lined paths. The same ownership recently opened Mendocino Cove, a more upscale option offering ocean-adjacent accommodations with trail access and expansive views just south of town, plus pickleball courts for those that have taken to the craze. Another worthy option is SCP’s Mendocino Inn and Farm. Located a few minutes outside the Mendocino Village, you can stay in a historic 1867 country manor with modern comfort surrounded by the lush Van Damme State Park.

Mendocino Grove

What to Do

Start with a stroll along Caspar Headlands State Beach just north of Mendocino Village, where blufftop trails, tidepools, and rugged views set the tone for a coastal escape. For a scenic adventure inland, the quirky alternative to NorCal’s wine train known as the Skunk Train (a play on the area’s robust cannabis-growing industry) departs from nearby Fort Bragg, offering redwood-lined rail journeys and railbike rides that follow historic logging routes. Water lovers can book into guided ocean kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding with family-owned Ledges Ocean Sports, known for kelp-forest excursions including kayaking, and easy harbor access. In Mendocino Village, the Temple of Kwan Tai—one of the oldest Taoist temples in the U.S.—offers a rare glimpse into the area’s multicultural 19th-century history.

Creative travelers can drop into The Studio Mendocino for ceramics workshops and other art-driven experiences. If you’re wanting to do a little retail therapy, The Study Club stands out as the area’s most elevated boutique, offering beautifully curated clothing, accessories, and modern homewares that feel sourced from a stylist’s Pinterest board.

And if you’re wine-curious, Anderson Valley is an essential detour, with its mix of cool-climate wineries and small-producer tasting rooms. Don’t miss Sea Wolf Wines, where low-intervention, coastal-influenced natural bottlings are poured in a bucolic setting amidst rolling hills and apple orchards. It’s one of the region’s most charming and delicious tasting experiences, and perfectly pairs with a stop at nearby farm stands like Velma’s Farm Stand at Filigreen Farm, a favorite for biodynamic produce and other tasty homegrown goods.

Thomas J. Story

Where to Eat

Start out your morning with a proper espresso and some people-watching at Wingspan Coffee. For lunch time treats, Fog Eater Café offers playful, plant-based Southern-meets-NorCal comfort food, while The Brickery draws fans with naturally leavened breads, pizzas, and pastries. Also in Mendocino Village is Gnar Bar, which dishes up hearty Hawaiian-style poke bowls and excellent musubi that bring a little bit of aloha to the Mendo Coast. As far as fine dining goes, the aforementioned Harbor House Inn remains a standout for its meticulously plated, hyper-local cuisine by chef Matthew Kammerer, whose menu is shaped by a global yet definitively local coastal perspective. And don’t forget to make a quick pitstop in Philo at Jumbo’s Win-Win, an ode to the old-fashioned diner specializing in upgrades to classic soft serve and smash burgers, made here with a gourmet, market-forward flare. For those after a natural tipple to take back to the cottage or on a picnic, Fog Bottle Shop & Wine Bar is a great spot, and their wares also make for great souvenirs to tote home.